Shuttle



y 1 M. H. RUBIN 1,770,947 SHUTTLE .Filed Dec. 21. 1927 2 SheetsSh eet 1 1 l I I II 1' k k INVENTOR ATTORNEYS;

Patented July 22, 1930 J res UNITED ST-A uons. RUBIN; or NEW YORK, N. Y.

SHUTTLE Application fi led December 21 1927. 7 Serial No. 2421, 190,"

' T his invention relates to shuttles for looms and has particular reference to self-threading shuttles for use in looms adapted for weaving fabrics from fine sizes of materials .5 such vas silk thread. The operation of automatic looms presents many problems, and

prominent among these is the automatic replenishment ofexhausted thread, bobbins 1n the shuttles and the -,re-threading of the 10 shuttles without interrupting the operation of the loom. Shuttle mechanisms are necessarily delicate because of the extremely fine thread employed, but the shuttle as a whole must be very rugged in order to Withstand lo the heavy shocks and vibrations which accompany the operation of highspeed looms so that the use of these delicate mechanisms has not been found to be practical heretofore. Accordingly, nonautomatic looms 0pcrating at any speed and weaving with fine thread have to be stopped each time either to replenish the bobbin, orwithdraw the e21 hausted shuttle for re-filling and replace it with one of several other filled shuttles kept 25 on hand. The exhausted bobbins in each case are replaced by filled bobbinsand the shuttles threaded by hand by drawing the end of the thread through the threading guides with an elongated hook. Re-thread so ing mechanismsfhave been provided in shuttles, but the shuttles must be stopped.

and re-threaded by hand, although this rethreading is greatly facilitated by semiautoinatic re-threading mechanisms'provided in the shuttles. These l'e-threadingfmecha- IHSITQS have been associated with thread-ten-.

smiling-means, but thetensioning means do not become operative until. the shuttles have i i been rethreaded,' so that during at least one pick of the shuttle movement, usually the first pick the threadis not under tension, causing irregularity in the weave and sel- I vage because of the slack thread. Furthermore, these tension-mechanisms are usually of the oscillating type, being controlled by the varying movement ofthe thread as it is unwound from the bobbin, so that the tension uponthe thread as it is woven is; not constant, 'especially'in high speed shuttle operation where the tensional variations o the unwinding thread are more frequent than the possible oscillations of the ten'sioningmeans. 7

" It'is the principal object of this invention to provide. a shuttle for use in looms which automatically threads itself Without being Withdrawn from the loom and Without interrupting the operation of the loom, and which automatically maintains uniform' tension upon'the weaving thread during all movements of theshuttle, whereby a perfect fabric is obtained in greater quantity for a given period of time than has been heretofore possible.. V v

Another object of the invention is to provide a shuttle construction in which all relatively non-moving parts are rigidly secured in position'by a novel locking means, where}. by the liability of loosening and-distortion of the shuttle parts during high speed operation and the consequent snarling or break ing of the thread are eliminated. A furtherv I object of the invention isv to provide a shuttle construction having an arrangement of parts, such that the mechanism of the shuttle is readily accessible for inspection, replacement and repair and so that worn parts may bereplac'ed economically and with facility.

Theseand other objects of the invention are obtained by a shuttle construction including a frame havlng a cavity for recelvlng and rigidly holding the bobbin, a recess connecting with the cavity and containing the self-threading and thread slack take-up mechanisms and a guide member rigidly locked inthe' recess and forming with the conformations of the recess the-thread guides employed for procuring the re-threading operation. This member is provided with a threadtensioning device consisting prefer:

ably, of a pair of resiliently engaging members between which the thread continuously passes at uniform tension during all picks,

whether the, shuttle is threadedor'not, thereby insuring a; perfect weave and uniform. selvage. The. guide member is. constructed with an open bottom and forms a chamber with the recess forthe reception of the slack take-up and self-threading mechanisms, so tha p moval of t g ide member: all

of said mechanisms are accessible. The open bottom construction of the guide member presents aclear passage for the thread around the greater part of its periphery durin g the various movements of the thread, and therefore there can be no interfering connection between the shuttle body and the member for supporting the latter except at the relatively small part of its periphery which is not in the path of the thread. This resultant cantilever support of the guide member is made extremely rigid by means of two interlocking studs or the like, par-. tially secured in the shuttle frame and which meet at an angle and fit into each other at the junction of the member with the shuttle rame.

V For a better understanding of the lIlVlP tion, reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which Figure l illustrates'a shuttle embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlar ed plan view of the head of the shuttle;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the shuttle head taken along the line of 33 of Fig. i, representing the initial path of the thread illustrating'the.action and various positions of the thread in the tensionin slack-take-up and self-threading mechanisms;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section of the head of the shuttle taken along the line 44 of Fig. 2, showing the shuttle mechanisms in another position; a

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section of the shuttle head taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4; and

' Figs. 6 to 11, inclusive illustrate transverse sections of the shuttle head taken along lines 66, 7-7, 8-8, 9+9, 10-10 and 1l-11, respectively, of Fig. 2. a i In these drawings numeral designates the shuttle frame which may be made of hard wood or any other suitable material; This frame 20 is provided with an elongated cav it) 21, having spring jaws 22. between which is removably clamped the stem 23 of hobbinQd. The head of shuttle body 20 is provided with a recess 25, which communicates with the bobbin cavity 21. The bottom recess preferably presents a flat surface 26 such as is illustrated in Figs. 4. and (3 to 11 inclusive, one wall 27 of the recess being relatively straight for the initial reception of the thread from bobbin-25 as it is laid substantially along. the longitudinal axis of. the shuttle. I he near side of shuttle body 20 at recess 25,'as seen in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 5, is provided with an opening 28, the sides of which are fitted with threadguides 29 and 30, which are preferably made of porcelain since this material 1s not sub ect to the cutting action of silk thread when frictionally engaged thereby, but any other suitable ma terial having similar, properties may be employed. The opposite side of shuttle body 20 is provided with two adjacent openings 31 and 32, which are fitted with Vertical pins 33 and 34, respectively. Pivotally mounted on pin 34 is an arm 35 which is formed with a plurality of hooks 36, shaped as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, and this arm 35 is connected near its pivot by means of an elastic band 37, or the like, to pin 33 mounted in slot 31. This elastic band 37 is adapted to constrain arin35 against side wall 27 of recess 25, so that any movement of arm 35 is resisted by the band 37. Mounted on the floor 26 of rccess'25 in a position substantially coincident with the most extreme angle of arm 35, is a plate 38 providedwith a plurality of hooks 39, which are spaced. so as to lie between hooks 36 on arm 35 when the arm is moved to the position illustrated in Figs. 3 and 5.

Mounted within recess 25 and conforming generally to theshape thereof, is a guide plate a0, preferably made ofmetal such as brass,'bronze, or the like. Guide plate 40 is shaped so as to form a chamber for the threading, slack take-up, and tensioning mechanism and also to form a slot 41 with wall 27 of the shuttle frame so that the thread when initially drawn from bobbin 24L- may pass through this slot in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the shuttle, in the manner shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Slot all communicates with slot 28' in the opposite side of the shuttle through a third slot 42 formed between the sloping side of the guide plate 40 and the corresponding sloping wall of the shuttle frame, as illustrated in Fi 2. Slot 4-2 is defined within recess 25 of the shuttle frame by means of a curved walla?) depending from. the under side of plate 40 at the tip thereof, but this wall does not extend to thefloor 26 of recess 25, but is spaced therefrom as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 7 for allowingpassage of the thread as it enters slot 28. In order to provide this thread passage, plate 40 is mounted on the floor 26 of recess 25 at its rear end by means of 21 depending wall -14, as shown in Figs. 4 and 11. Adjacent wall 44: and also depending from plate 40 is a stud 45, which is threaded in plate 40 and is provided with an annular groove 16 of generally semi-circular shape. The free end of stud 45 projects through a circular opening provided therefor in the bottom of shuttle frame 20 through which the stud is adjustable vertically by means of a. screwdriver or similar tool. Inserted through the shuttle frame 20 and below floor 26 of recess 25 is a horizontal pin 47 which is. disposed at an angle to stud 4:5 and is adapted to fit in the semi-circular groove 46 thereof, as shown in Figs. 4 and 9. One end of pin'eti' is threaded in a block 48 fitted into the side of the shuttle frame, while the opposits end of pin 47' is providedlwith 'ajscrewdriver slot or the like. Accordingly, in order to remove plate 40 from the shuttle frame, pin 47 must be first removed to disen- 7 49 are a pair of plates 50 which are provided with openings near one end through which the pin 51 passes, while a pair of spiral springs 52 encircle pin 51 and are disposed between plates and the adjacent sides of slot 49 so that the plates 50 are resiliently pressed together. The opposite ends of plate 50 are provided with extensions 53 which guide these ends in suitable grooves 54 formed in the sides of slot 49. A stud 55 de-,

pends from plate 40 adjacent thetensioning plates 50 so as to prevent the thread from catching in the end of the slot 49 and also to forman additional support for the plate 41 upon the bottom 26 of recess 25. The head of shuttle frame 24 is provided with a thread groove 56, as shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive.

In automatic loom operation when a shuttle bobbin becomes exhausted, itis'driven out by suitable means at the end of the last pick and at the same time a filled bobbin is [forced into; cavity 21 and securely clamped between jaws 22. The thread during the first pick is Withdrawn from the end of the bobbin 24 as the shuttle moves toward theleft as seen in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, and the thread slips between tensioning plates 50, into slot 41 and passes out'through groove 56 in the manner illustrated in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. The tensioning plates 50 draw the fine thread taut as the shuttle passes through the shed during the first pick, and is maintained taut when the shuttle is reversed in direction, whereby the thread is laid evenly and a perfect selvage is obtained. As the shuttle reverses indirection, the thread is drawn backward out of groove 56 andslides down and under wall 43 in passing through slot 42 into slot 28, while at the same time the thread which has been caught by hooks 36 of pivotal arm 35 as shown in Fig. 3, the tension on the thread causing arm 35 to move about its pivot 34 so that the thread slips over station.- ary hooks 39 to be caught thereby, thus threading the shuttle, as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 5. Inasmuch as the thread in unwinding from bobbin 24 oscillates laterally due to the thickness of the bobbin core, arm 35 also oscillates about pivot 34 and against the tension of elastic band 37 so as to take up this periodic slack in the thread and to cooperate with tensioning plates 50- to pay 'oii' the thread at uniform tension and at a uniform rate at all times no matter what=the position of the shuttle may be; The resilient mounting of tensioning plates 50 permits-thread to slide laterally between them while the thread is simultaneously "kept at constant tension. After the threading operationhas automati cally taken place upon movement of theshuttle toward the right as seen in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive,'t he thread continuously passes between porcelain guides 29. and 30, engaging them alternately posite directions. if The new shuttle for looms accordingly as the shuttle passes in opprovides-manyimportantadvanta es over shuttles heretofore used in that it is ully automatic, and provides shuttle thread at constant rate and uniform tension regardless of the speed of operation. The construction and arrangement of the delicate moving parts within the confines of the frame so that theyare protected provides a shuttle having a smoothsymmetrical exteriorshape, wholly devoid of projections which might catch and tear the thread or fabric and break in so doing. Accordingly, the new shuttle is foolproof and rugged,and is so assembled that the mechanism is readily accessible for inspection, replacement andrepair, and the several parts are constructed as separate units so that-each unit may be removed and replaced without disturbing the remainder.

:The locking means for the guide plate holds the latter extremely rigid so that it cannot work loose or become misplaced even when the shuttle isisubjected to the severe shocks and. vibrations accompanying high-speedloom operation. While a preferred embodi- Inent of the shuttle has been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that many modifications which may be desirable are within the scope of the invention.

-Icla'im:-I I "j 1. A shuttle comprising a frame, having a. bobbin cavity andja communicating recess, a member in said recess forming thread guides and a 'chamber, oscillating threading mechanism in said chamber v and threadtensioning means between the bobbin cavity and the I chamber, saidmeans including a positivefriction device having a passage permitting lateral .movement of the thread substantially in the. plane. of oscillation of said mechanism adapted to engage the threadii '2. A shuttle comprising .a frame, having a bobbin cavity and a communicating recess, a member in said recess forming thread guides and a chamber, oscillating threading 'mechanism in said chamber and threadtensioning means between the bobbin cavity and the mechanism, said means including a pair of "friction members forming apassage per mitting a eralmovement of th thread substantially in the plane of' oscillation of said mechanism,-and resilient means pressing said members together for confining the thread between them. 5

3. A shuttle comprising a frame having an elongated cavity and a communicating recess, a Wall between the cavity and the recess, said wall being provided at one side with a thread guiding slot, and a friction device mounted in said Wall and having a passage substantially at right angles to and communicating With the slot for'tensioning the thread.

i. A shuttle comprising a framehaving an elongated cavity and a communicating recess, a Wall between the cavity and the recess, said well being provided with V a thread guiding slot, a pair of engaging members disposed at an angle to the slotfand resilient means holding said members in engagement,the guiding slot being adapted to lead the thread between the members. I

5. A shuttle comprising a frame having a bobbin cavity and a communicating recess, resiliently engaging members adapted to frictionally engage the thread and forming of said means, said tensioning means becoming operative before said self-threading mechanism. y In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

' MILTON H. RUBIN.

a passage permitting lateral movement of thethread, a pivotal arm in the recess adapted to be actuated substantially in the plane of the passage formed by said members by lat eral movement of the thread, and stationary elements in-the recess adapted to catch the thread upon movement of the arm, the elements and arm thereafter engaging the thread. i i

6. A shuttle comprising a frame'having a bobbin cavity and a'communicating recess, resiliently engaging members adapted to frictionally engage the thread and forming a passage permitting lateral movement of'the thread, a pivotal arm in the recess adapted to be actuated substantially in the plane of the passage formed by said members by lateral movement of the thread, and resilient means connected to'the arm, the movement of said arm being adapted to take up the slack in the thread. I

7. A shuttle comprising a frame having a bobbin cavity and a communicating recess, resiliently engaging vmembers adapted to frictionally engage the thread and forming a passage permitting lateral movement of the thread, a pivotal arm in the recess adapted to be actuated substantially in the plane of the passage formed by said members by lateral movement of the thread, resilient means connected to the arm, and stationary elements in the recess adapted to cooperate with the arm upon initial movement thereof to engage the thread carried by the arm,

8. In ashuttle, the combination of a frame, means for securinga bobbin to the frame,

guides for the thread near one end of the frame, fiat thread-tensioning means adjacent the guides, and self-threading mechanism adjacent the guides, and movable in the plane 

